Recognizing Extraordinary Acts of Service
The MSgt John A. Chapman
'Service Before Self' Award
ABOUT THE AWARD
The Combat Control Foundation's MSgt John A. Chapman 'Service Before Self' Award honors the legacy of Medal of Honor recipient Master Sergeant John A. Chapman, a U.S. Air Force Combat Controller who gave his life heroically defending his teammates during the Battle of Takur Ghar in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002.
Recipients of this award reflect the same selfless courage and unwavering devotion to others that defined Chapman’s life and service.
Like Chapman, Captain Roland placed his team above himself in the face of grave danger, and his family’s ongoing commitment to honoring his legacy continues to inspire generations of Airmen and leaders.
Click below to learn more about MSgt John A. Chapman
Past recipients of the Combat Control Foundation’s MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award
2025 recipient - Gold Star Family of Special Tactics Officer USAF Captain Matthew D. Roland.
Honoring Capt Roland's courage and heroism, his parents, Mark and Barbara, and his sister, Erica, carry forward his legacy through the Matthew Roland Foundation, which supports scholarships dedicated to building servant leadership and developing future leaders. Read previous Service Before Self coverage here.
2024 recipient - Colonel Allison Black, USAF (Ret.)
A retired USAF Colonel she was a pioneering Air Force Special Operations airman best known as the first female AC-130 navigator to open fire in combat in the initial hours of Operation Enduring Freedom. Earning the nickname, the Angel of Death. She was the 2024 (eighth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read previous Service Before Self coverage here.
2023 recipient - Command Chief Master Sergeant William C. Markham, USAF (Ret.)
A retired AFSOC USAF Combat Controller who is Chairman, Co-Founder of Project OVAT. He was the first Air Force Combat Controller in Afghanistan and received the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat. He was the 2023 (seventh) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read previous Service Before Self coverage here. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2022 recipient - Brigadier General Dale E. Stovall, USAF (Ret.)
USAFA Class of 1967, awarded the Air Force Cross and Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster for valor as an air rescue helicopter pilot during operations in Vietnam. Honored with the U.S. Air Force Academy Alumni Association's Jabara Award for Airmanship in 1973. Recognized as the sixth recipient of the Combat Control Foundation's Master Sergeant John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award in 2022. Read previous coverage here.
2021 recipient - Sergeant First Class Rick Caldwell, U.S. Army
A former AFSOC USAF Pararescue Airman (PJ) who is now serving as a U.S. Army Special Forces Medical Sergeant. For his actions serving in Afghanistan with an Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA), he received the Silver Star. He is the 2021 (fifth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award.
2020 recipient - Colonel Thaddeus Allen, USAF (Ret.)
Class of 1992 graduate of the USAFA and a former Vice Director of Athletics at the Academy. The Colonel served as a Special Tactics Officer and had command of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron. He is the 2020 (fourth) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award.
2019 recipient - Senior Master Sergeant Michael Perolio, USAF
Recipient of both the Silver Star and Bronze Star with Valor for actions taken in Afghanistan as a Combat Controller. He is the 2019 (third) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2018 recipient - Chief Master Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, USAF
Current AFSOC Combat Control Pipeline Manager, recipient of the Air Force Cross for actions taken while a Combat Controller in Afghanistan. He is the 2018 (second) recipient of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.
2017 recipient - Lieutenant Colonel Barry Crawford, USAF
USAF Class of 2003 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy; he is the recipient of the Air Force Cross for actions taken while a Special Tactics Officer in Afghanistan. He has the unique distinction of transitioning from his career as a STO, to becoming an A-10 pilot. He is the first recipient (2017) of the Combat Control Foundation’s Master Sergeant John A Chapman Service Before Self Award. Read about his Combat Control Act of Valor here.